DGP Summoned Over Kotakpura Corruption Case
Speaker Sandhwan summoned Punjab’s police chief to report by Tuesday on a corruption case involving an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) from Kotakpura. The Speaker ordered a detailed report on 180 cases registered at the Kotakpura police station and directed the DGP to present the findings personally.
Call for Action Against Bishnoi’s Interview from Jail
Bajwa also demanded action against the officer who conducted an interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi using his phone at the CIA Kharar office. Criticizing the lack of regulation within the jail system, Bajwa highlighted the grave issue of a senior police officer facilitating such interviews. He questioned how the family of Sidhu Moosewala can expect justice under these conditions. Bajwa revealed that he has sent 31 letters to the Chief Minister, 11 to Ministers, 28 to the Speaker, 14 to the Chief Secretary, and seven to other secretaries, yet has received no responses. “What could be a greater insult to democracy than this?” he asked. Countering, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the matter is currently sub judice in the High Court, thus limiting the scope for immediate legislative action.
Agricultural Policy and Land Compensation
A prominent topic was the demand for public disclosure of the state's agricultural policy, which has been pending for three months. Congress MLA from Abohar Sandeep Jakhar urged that the policy be made public and debated thoroughly, reflecting the farmers' persistent demands in Chandigarh. Additionally, SAD MLA from Dakha Manpreet Ayali raised concerns over inadequate compensation for land acquired by the National Highway Authority of India under the Bharat Mala Project. He stressed that farmers should receive fair market value for their land, particularly given the high land prices in Punjab.
Chair for Bhai Jaita ji
On a different note, AAP’s Bhadaur MLA Labh Singh Ugoke proposed establishing a chair at Patiala University in honour of Bhai Jaita Singh, a historical figure who fought alongside Guru Gobind Singh. Ugoke also called for the completion of a memorial in Ropar dedicated to this revered figure.
Enforcing Punjabi Language Act
AAP’s Ropar MLA Dinesh Chadha highlighted the non-compliance of central agencies with the Punjabi Language Act, urging the Assembly to develop a policy to enforce the act effectively.
Chaudhary appointed Congress Dy Leader in House
Congress has appointed former Minister and Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chaudhary as the Deputy Chief of the Legislature Party (CLP). The appointment came after the departure of Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal to the Aam Aadmi Party and his subsequent election victory from Hoshiarpur parliamentary seat.
House Paid Tributes to Patar, others
The session commenced with a solemn tribute to several distinguished individuals, including former Speaker Surjit Singh Minhas, Padma awardee poet-writer Dr Surjit Singh Patar, former parliamentarians Kamal Chaudhary and Gurcharan Kaur, besides freedom fighters.
